Memórias do Velho Mundo was directed by Stephane Brodt and Ana Teixeira in 1996. This play, created out of improvisations, is the result of pedagogic work carried out with a group of actors from Casa das Artes de Laranjeiras.

Initially, we would like to break away from a form of naturalist, psychological interpretation, and for this, we endeavour to reconnect with older, more popular theatrical forms. We wish to lead the actors to a rediscovery of crude theatre – that of the bare stage, of which Jacques Copeau spoke – without the resources of script or scenery. We decided to move towards the clown, his physical precision, sense of rhythm, simplicity and sincerity.

Memórias do Velho Mundo pays homage to the clowns of the past, a form that is slowly disappearing. We wished to delve into the simplicity of the itinerant traditions and manifest the admiration that we hold for them.